I’m writing this open letter in an attempt to clear the air
and calm the anxiety surrounding recent events in the sport. The IBA was formed to grow the sport of
barefoot water-skiing. Our formation
surprised some people, but should not have been unexpected by the WBCouncil.

Skiers stated they would not ski in another Barefoot World
Championships if things did not change and the IBA was formed in part due to
these concerns. And yes, there was a
survey sent out under our letterhead to determine how many skiers supported a
change that could have limited some skiers’ participation in some events. We recognized this was a mistake and made it
clear that skiers may ski in any events they would like. The IBA will not restrict any skier’s participation,
nor will we compel any skier’s participation.
However, the WBCouncil should not count on these skiers participating
under the current format. We still plan
on working with the WBCouncil, through technology improvements and event
formats. Despite being blamed for issues
discussed below.

When Heller Farms became aware of the skiers who would not
attend the 2016 Championships, compounded with their own concerns with the
contract language for the event, they looked for a plan B. The IBA was a natural alternative. At that time, the IBA and Heller Farms agreed
an IWWF sanctioned World Championships with a different format was the best
outcome.

Acknowledging concerns expressed from the barefooting
community, the IBA agreed to work with the WBCouncil to develop a format that
would be acceptable to the 40+ skiers who responded to the survey mentioned
above while Heller Farms negotiated with the WBCouncil for the contract for the
event. The format does not appear to
have been accepted and apparently there are still issues with the contract
negotiations.

The IBA has not had any input into the decisions of the Pan
Am Council or the election of their representatives. We decided early on that we could not produce
the results we want and participate in regional councils or the WBCouncil. Yes, there are IBA members who wear many hats
and work in many functions in the sport; at Heller Farms and the Pan Am
Council. With this clearly understood,
the IBA has not attempted to determine the outcomes of anything except a format
for the World Championships.

I hope this helps to clear the air and takes the IBA out of
the blame for these events. These events
will work themselves out. If someone has
questions, I can be reached at lee.stone@barefootassociation.org.

We are extremely worried about the current development in our sport. Barefoot has not just been a big part of our life it is our life, and that of our kids.

The current development with the IBA challenging the WBC is in our
opinion a huge risk for barefoot. We are a small sport and the last
thing we want is split our sport up in two camps, this could easily mean
the end of our organized barefoot water-skiing.

We need to realise what the soul of barefoot is (at least in our opinion).
Barefoot is a lifestyle sport, which connects a big group of people
from all around the world with the same passion. It is the connectivity
and the intense friendship that makes our sport so unique. We have great
respect for each-other no matter how different our levels are, the
Worlds number one can sit and have a pint with the number last and talk
about their passion as equals it is these things that truly make our
sport unique. And lets not forget that we have lots of fun together. We
hope that no matter what happens this part of our sport will never go
away.

The current changes with a new association (the
International Barefoot Association) IBA being founded are a risk and an
opportunity at the same-time. We see a big and interesting potential
in the IBA, but the initial motivation and approach of the IBA we see
as brutal, undiplomatic and hostile. The good thing is that the IBA
board members seem to also realise that things where maybe approached a
bit to aggressive and communication between IBA and the WBC is on-going
now which gives us hope.

In our opinion there is no reason what
so ever to try and overthrow the WBC and let the IBA take over as was
the initial plan. This would without a doubt be the worst scenario
possible in Barefoot and very likely split our sport in two camps.
Barefoot would lose its connection with all national and international
sports associations as the IBA would not be recognised by anybody and
the WBC would be reduced too much for barefoot to be taken seriously
(its already on the edge). But we also realise that the IBA was
founded out of discontent with where our sport was going by our elite
skiers (a very important group that needs to be taken very serious). So
it is clear that something needs to happen.

Lets first have a look at what this elite group is not happy about:
They want to see a more professional and higher level World
championships format. They believe our connection with the IWWF is a
waist of money and we do not receive anything in return.

We
believe that going our own way without the WBC and IWWF will be suicide
for barefoot as the Barefoot waterski World Championships are owned by
IWWF and can only be used by organizations associated with them. This
would mean that right away we would lose the right to organize a world
championship, not to speak of the tens of thousands of Euro’s (combined)
lots of national federations receive through their national sports
associations and Olympic committees that would be lost for our sport.
We believe there is absolutely place for a higher lever barefoot event
where only the absolute best of the best compete, but we believe this
should be a separate event not connected to the traditional Worlds, and
we think here is where the IBA can play a fantastic role.

Here is how we believe International barefoot can be structured.

Resposibility of the WBC:

Rule’s Officials Records Connection and communication with international sport organizations World Championship format World Championship organization

There should in this set up be one person that is on the board of both
WBC and the IBA. This way there is a direct communication line between
the two organizations.

This way we can have the best of both
Worlds. We keep our lifestyle Worlds as we know it, which will keep our
barefoot family together. At the same-time we get more professional and
commercial events that will enable our elite athletes to show case their
skills with more exposure and overtime generate income through
competing.

We really hope both the IBA and the WBC leave pride
and personal feelings out of the way and consider this structure. We all
have the same passion lets not loose the common interest out of sight.

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